British women writers of the 19th century were a remarkably talented, diverse, and prolific group. Some, such as Jane Austen and George Eliot, significantly contributed to the evolution of the English novel, while others, such as Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Christina Rossetti, are known for their poetry. And some, such as Marie Corelli, were enormously popular during their lifetimes but are now known primarily by scholars. This reference book is a guide to the lives and achievements of women writers of the period.

Included are alphabetically arranged entries for more than 90 British women writers of the 19th century, ranging from the famous to the obscure. Each entry is written by an expert contributor and provides a brief biography, a discussion of major works and themes, an overview of the critical response to the writer's works, and a bibliography of primary and secondary sources, including web sites. The volume closes with a selected bibliography of anthologies and critical works.